Bruce Lonardo was assigned to VA-115 aboard USS Midway from 1979 to 1981. Bruce first arrived in Yokosuka, Japan in late September of 1979. He was in transit status with other Midway transit personnel in Yokosuka for a month because to the Midway was not in port. During this time, he worked TAD (Temporary Assigned Duty) aboard one of the tugboats in Yokosuka Naval Shipyard. After a month, he was sent to Cubi Point Naval Air Station in the Philippines to wait out the rest of his transit standby period. During this time, the Midway transit personnel, including Bruce were assigned to work aboard the USS Dixie, AD-14.

After three weeks, the Dixie took the Midway transit personnel to Diego Garcia, where they disembarked and reported aboard the USS San Jose. The San Jose ultimately delivered them via helicopter to the Midway, which was on station in the Indian Ocean. Coming aboard Midway just a few days before Christmas of 1979, Bruce was TAD to S-2 Division until April 1980. When his TAD stint was finished, he finally joined VA-115 and stayed with the squadron until his tour was finished in September 1981.

Bruce wanted to share his memories and experiences about USS Midway and has submitted the pictures and recollections on this page as a tribute to this great ship.